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Today — 17 June 2025BBC | Top Stories

Woman who died in skydive was 'caring and giving'

16 June 2025 at 22:34
Scott Armstrong Belinda Taylor is stood wearing a black sleeveless vest with long brown hair. She is stood by a wooden gate with a white horse on the other side. Scott Armstrong
Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, died while skydiving in Devon, police say

Two people who died while skydiving in Devon have been named by police.

Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, and Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth, died in the accident at Dunkeswell Aerodrome at about 13:00 BST on Friday, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

The force said the skydivers died at the scene and their families had been informed.

It said inquiries were ongoing by police, British Skydiving and East Devon District Council Environmental Health and Safety Office.

British Skydiving said on Saturday it had been "notified of a tragic accident in which two jumpers lost their lives".

"Our deepest condolences go to their families, friends and the entire skydiving community," it said.

The Civil Aviation Authority said it was aware of the incident but could not comment any further due to it being an active investigation.

The Dunkeswell Aerodrome is a former RAF site located in the Blackdown Hills area of Devon, close to the county's border with Somerset.

According to the aerodrome's website, the site was originally built to be an American naval base during World War Two.

It is also claimed to be the highest licensed airfield in the UK at 839ft (256m) above sea level.

Along with skydiving, other activities on offer include Spitfire flight tours, wing-walking and flight training for aircraft.

Suspended Tory MP denies sexually assaulting two women at London's Groucho Club

16 June 2025 at 18:53
PA Media Patrick Spencer wears a navy suit and stands in front of a plain background.PA Media
Patrick Spencer appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court

An MP has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault that allegedly took place at London's Groucho Club.

Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer is accused of two assaults on two women on the same day in August 2023 - before he was elected.

The 37-year-old, who became a Conservative MP at the 2024 general election, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

He is due to appear next at Southwark Crown Court on 14 July for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Mr Spencer stood in the dock to confirm his name as Michael Patrick Spencer and his date of birth.

District Judge Paul Goldspring told the MP he was on unconditional bail.

The charges were first brought against Mr Spencer in May.

Frank Ferguson, head of the special crime and counter terrorism division at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), previously said: "Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, we have authorised two counts of sexual assault against Patrick Spencer MP.

"The charges follow two alleged incidents involving two separate women at the Groucho Club in central London in August 2023."

Minnesota shooting suspect found in field and crawled to police, ending manhunt

16 June 2025 at 22:31
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office/Facebook/Reuters Police handout image showing the arrest of Vance Luther BoelterRamsey County Sheriff's Office/Facebook/Reuters
Police said Vance Luther Boelter was armed at the time of his arrest

A 57-year-old man has been arrested in the US state of Minnesota on suspicion of killing a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband.

The arrest on Sunday night was the culmination of a huge two-day manhunt following the deaths of Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota Democrat, and her husband Mark. State Governor Tim Walz called it a "politically motivated assassination".

Police said Vance Luther Boelter was armed at the time of his arrest in a rural area west of Minneapolis, but gave himself up peacefully when challenged.

The suspect is also alleged to have shot and wounded Democratic State Senator John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette, who are both now awake in hospital.

Mrs Hoffman said on Sunday that both felt "incredibly lucky to be alive".

Boelter was detained after investigators found a car he allegedly used in Sibley County, about 50 miles (80km) from the murder scene in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

Air and SWAT teams were deployed to arrest the suspect in what was described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota's history.

No police officers were injured during his apprehension, and officials said they were not looking for any other suspects.

Speaking at a press conference with other local officials on Sunday night, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the attack was an "unspeakable act" that had "altered the state of Minnesota".

"This cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences," Walz said.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised the "skill and bravery" of law enforcement agencies following Boelter's arrest.

"Political violence is abhorrent, it cuts against the most basic moral fabric of our democracy. It's critical that those who commit these acts be held accountable under the law," he added.

Boelter is accused of impersonating a police officer to carry out the attacks on Saturday, before exchanging fire with police officers and fleeing from the area of suburban Minneapolis.

Melissa Hortman had served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for 20 years, and was speaker of the chamber from 2019 to 2025.

Boelter, a former political appointee, was once a member of the same state workforce development board as Hoffman.

He is a security contractor and religious missionary who has worked in Africa and the Middle East, according to his online CV.

Boelter once preached as a pastor at a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Facebook photos.

Investigators reportedly found a list of "targets" in the vehicle that the suspect is thought to have driven for the alleged shootings.

Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, told reporters that he would not describe the notebook found in the car as a "manifesto" as it was not "a treatise on all kinds of ideology and writings".

Local media have reported that the names included Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and state Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

At the press conference following Boelter's arrest, Evans did not specify who was featured on the list, but said that state officials had contacted authorities in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska and Iowa so that they could "notify individuals that were on that list".

More than 20 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire near Gaza aid sites, Hamas-run ministry says

16 June 2025 at 21:57
Reuters A mourner reacts during the funeral of Palestinians killed in what the Gaza health ministry says was Israeli fire near a distribution center in Rafah, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem KhaledReuters
A mourner during the funeral of one of those killed while attempting to get food aid in Rafah

At least 22 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire near aid distribution sites operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told the BBC that it was examining the reports.

Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed trying to get food from the GHF sites, opened by Israel after it partially lifted a three-month blockade which the UN said had pushed the Gazan population to the brink of starvation.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said: "Israel's means and methods of warfare are inflicting horrifying, unconscionable suffering on Palestinians in Gaza."

Addressing the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, he accused Israel of weaponising food and repeated his call for a full investigation into the attacks near the sites. UN agencies have refused to work with the GHF.

On several previous occasions the IDF has acknowledged that its troops opened fire near aid sites.

The health ministry said 20 were killed on Monday at the GHF centre at al-Alam in the southern city of Rafah, while rescuers reported two killed at a GHF site in the central Netzarim corridor.

Many of those killed and injured at al-Alam were taken to Nasser hospital in nearby Khan Younis, where relatives gathered. Many were buried in the hours after their arrival, in line with Islamic tradition.

Ahmed Alfara, a doctor at the hospital, told the Reuters news agency that the distribution system had failed "100%".

"No one can get that distribution, that aid, no one can get it," he said.

"We have to recognise that [UN humanitarian agency] Unrwa and NGOs must again get that distribution and try to redistribute it for the Palestinian people."

He reported that many of the casualties on Monday had suffered gunshot wounds, including to the head.

Ahmed Fayad, who attempted to get food from the GHF site on Monday, described the GHF operation as a "trap".

"We went there thinking we would get aid to feed our children, but it turned out to be a trap, a killing. I advise everyone: don't go there," he told Reuters.

Al-Alam has been the scene of several similar deadly incidents since the new Israeli-backed food distribution system began operating.

Before Monday's incident, the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said that at least 300 people had been killed and more than 2,600 wounded near aid distribution sites since the GHF began operations in Gaza on 26 May.

The IDF has contested the death toll and said Hamas had caused much of the violence.

Israel does not allow international news organisations including the BBC into Gaza, making verifying what is happening in the territory difficult.

It has been 20 months since Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led cross-border attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

At least 55,297 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's health ministry.

WhatsApp to start showing more adverts in messaging app

16 June 2025 at 21:00
Getty Images A person's hands using a phoneGetty Images

WhatsApp is launching three new ad features in a global roll-out across the messaging app.

The Meta-owned platform says the new ads will not be shown in the same place as people's private chats, nor will the contents of their messages - which are encrypted - be used to decide which ads to display.

WhatsApp will instead use the country, city and language of the user, as well as how they interact with other ads and which channels they follow, to drive suggested content.

But people who have chosen to link their WhatsApp account to Facebook or Instagram will see more personalised ads.

The new ad features will appear in a section called Updates, which is a separate tab at the bottom of the app.

WhatsApp claims to have 1.5 billion users globally.

Businesses with channels will be able to choose to promote ads in the Updates section to attract new followers, and also charge a subscription to access extra content.

WhatsApp will eventually take a 10% commission of that fee, and there may also be extra costs on top of that taken at the app store level depending on the size of the business.

Firms will also be able to advertise in the form of a status update, which looks similar to an Instagram story and will link through to start a chat if clicked on.

Social media expert Matt Navarra told the BBC that Meta is "laying the foundation for WhatsApp to finally become a monetisable platform at scale".

But "monetising the periphery" of WhatsApp, while keeping personal chats private, would not be without risk for the company, he added.

This could particularly be the case in markets like the UK and Europe, he said, where the app is viewed primarily as a messaging tool with less appetite for content feeds or adverts.

"Any perception that the app is becoming noisy or Facebook-ified will spark backlash," he said.

'Natural extension'

It's no coincidence that the new features bring WhatsApp more in line with Meta's other platforms Facebook and Instagram.

"Obviously there's overlap," said WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart.

"We have stories on Instagram and stories on WhatsApp, and we now have a way for businesses to promote themselves in both, and we think that's a good thing."

He said he believed the move was a "natural extension of messaging services" and not dissimilar to features of rival apps such as Snapchat and Telegram.

For Mr Navarra, it also reflects a wider shift in the social media landscape.

"The feed is dying, public sharing is down, people are retreating into DMs and Stories in small groups," he said.

"Meta's trying to turn WhatsApp into a platform without users realising it and if they move too fast or it starts to feel like another ad network, people might disengage or maybe worse, distrust the app."

WhatsApp angered users recently with the introduction of a permanent button for Meta's AI tool, which cannot be deactivated or deleted, and Mr Cathcart said users who did not want to see ads or follow channels would not be forced to.

"I want to stress this won't affect your inbox," he said.

"If you're only using WhatsApp for messaging, you're not going to see this."

He said the Update section of the app was "not particularly popular" in the UK but was used more in other parts of the world, and the firm would "look at the feedback" about the unremovable AI tool - but there were many other features of the app which were also permanent.

"You can't delete the channels button, you can't delete the Updates button, you can't delete the calls button," he said.

"I mean, we also don't want to have a service that has lots of settings… that's complexity too."

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Satellite images show damage to Iran missile sites

16 June 2025 at 21:19
BBC A composite of satellite images from damage inflicted on Iranian military sites: Left: the roof of a building struck in Bid Kaneh military facility; Right: a destroyed structure at Kermanshah military base. Surrounded by BBC Verify brandingBBC

Israeli strikes have damaged structures at two missile sites as well as an airport runway, satellite images have revealed.

As Iran and Israel continue to launch strikes on each other's territory, satellite imagery can give us an insight into what's happening on the ground.

It's a particularly valuable resource when looking at Iran - where it's very difficult for BBC journalists to operate.

Composite satelllite images of Kermanshah missile base with damage highlighted.

The latest satellite imagery released by Maxar shows damage to a missile base operated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) near the western province of Kermanshah.

High-resolution images taken on 15 June show multiple buildings targeted at the facility. A number of structures appear to be completely destroyed, with debris spread out around the site.

There is also damage to what appear to be two tunnel entrances up against the mountainside, likely used to store sensitive equipment away from attacks.

Iran's ballistic missiles are known to be buried deep in underground silos spread out across the country.

Jeremy Binnie, Middle East specialist at Janes defence intelligence, says in addition to the targeting of missile storage bunkers and launchers, "the buildings targeted could include barracks", which would suggest "an attempt to reduce the number of personnel able to man missile launchers for retaliatory attacks".

"Kermanshah is one of Iran's oldest ballistic missile bases," says Fabian Hinz, a military analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), "having originally been established during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. More recently, it has played a key role in various Iranian missile strikes including against various armed groups and Israel."

Satellite image of Tabriz airport with squares highlighting damage to runway and taxiways

Satellite images from Planet Labs show several areas of significant damage at the international airport in Tabriz, capital of Iran's East Azerbaijan province.

Images taken on 14 June show a large blackened area clearly visible in the centre of the main runway. There are also signs of damage to two taxiways at two points where they meet the main runway and on another section of one of the taxiways.

It's not clear if the airport is currently operational, but the Flightradar24 tracking website shows no commercial flights arriving or departing since early on Friday, when Israel first launched attacks on Iran.

Flight tracking sites would not normally register the movement of military aircraft.

Satellite image of Bid Kaneh military facility in Iran showing damage to the roof of a large building.

This site, about 30km (19 miles) west of Tehran, has apparently sustained damage to multiple buildings. In a Maxar image from 15 June, you can see a roof of a large structure has been penetrated and there appears to be further damage to another building alongside.

This isn't the first time this facility at Bid Kaneh has suffered serious damage. In 2011 a large explosion is reported to have killed a number of personnel believed to have been working on Iran's missile programme.

At the time, the Iranian authorities blamed it on an accident, although there was also speculation it was an act of sabotage.

Satellite image of Shahr Rey Oil Refinery with large cloud of black smoke rising. Iran map locator top right.

Images from the EU's Sentinel-2 satellites from 15 June show large plumes of smoke coming from two energy facilities in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Shahr Rey is reported to be one of the largest refineries in the country, capable of refining 225,000 barrels per day.

Satellite image of Shahran fuel depot with black smoke rising. Iran map locator in top right

The second site, Shahran oil and gas depot, is a key hub for distributing fuel in the north of the capital. There are signs of damage to several structures on the site.

Iranian officials have acknowledged the strikes, but played down their significance.

Shana, the oil ministry's news agency, reported that the situation was "under control", that the containers at Shahran were not full when struck, and that the refinery was still operational.

We will update this piece as more satellite imagery and analysis becomes available.

Additional reporting by Kayleen Devlin & Ned Davies

BBC Verify logo
Yesterday — 16 June 2025BBC | Top Stories

Trump told Netanyahu not to kill Iran's supreme leader, says report

16 June 2025 at 08:27
Getty Images A close-up of US President Donald Trump sitting in the Oval Office. He is looking to his left, wearing a red tie with a US flag pin on his suit. Getty Images

US President Donald Trump rejected a plan by Israel to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, three US officials have told BBC's US partner CBS News.

Trump reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that assassinating Khamenei was not a good idea, according to one official. The president has not commented publicly on the report.

The conversation is said to have happened since Israel launched its attack on Iran on Friday.

During an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu did not directly confirm or deny a report from Reuters that Trump had vetoed a plan to killed the ayatollah.

"There's so many false reports of conversations that never happened and I'm not going to get into that," the Israeli prime minister said.

"But I can tell you I think we do what we need to do. We will do what we need to do and I think the United States knows what is good for the United States and I'm just not going to get into it."

An Israeli official told CBS News that "in principle," Israel does not "kill political leaders, we are focused on nuclear and military. I don't think anyone making decisions about those programs should be living free and easy."

Israel first launched an attack on Iranian nuclear infrastructure and other targets on Friday.

Iran later confirmed the head of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) intelligence unit, Mohammad Kazemi, had been killed, alongside a deputy and another commander.

The two countries have continued to launch massive strikes at each other since, with attacks entering a third day on Sunday.

In his latest post on Truth Social about the escalating situation in the Middle East, Trump said "Iran and Israel should make a deal", adding that he would get the two to cease hostilities "just like I got India and Pakistan" - referring to the recent confrontation between the countries.

In a separate post on Saturday, the president said the US "had nothing to do with the attack on Iran".

"If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before," he warned.

MP Patrick Spencer pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges

16 June 2025 at 18:53
PA Media Patrick Spencer wears a navy suit and stands in front of a plain background.PA Media
Patrick Spencer appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court

An MP has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault that allegedly took place at London's Groucho Club.

Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer is accused of two assaults on two women on the same day in August 2023 - before he was elected.

The 37-year-old, who became a Conservative MP at the 2024 general election, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

He is due to appear next at Southwark Crown Court on 14 July for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Mr Spencer stood in the dock to confirm his name as Michael Patrick Spencer and his date of birth.

District Judge Paul Goldspring told the MP he was on unconditional bail.

The charges were first brought against Mr Spencer in May.

Frank Ferguson, head of the special crime and counter terrorism division at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), previously said: "Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, we have authorised two counts of sexual assault against Patrick Spencer MP.

"The charges follow two alleged incidents involving two separate women at the Groucho Club in central London in August 2023."

First heatwave of 2025 likely as temperatures to surge above 30C

16 June 2025 at 19:55

First heatwave of 2025 likely as temperatures to surge above 30C

A row of multi-coloured beach huts on the right with some grass and a view over looking blue sea and bright blue skyImage source, BBC WeatherWatcher / squiz
Image caption,

The hottest spot in the UK so far this year was in Suffolk on 13 June

  • Published

Temperatures are set to soar to more than 30C (86F) this week as an area of high pressure builds across the UK.

It will become increasingly hot later this week and by the weekend some places could easily beat the highest temperature recorded so far this year - 29.4C (85F) in Suffolk on 13 June.

For a heatwave to be declared by the Met Office we need to reach a threshold temperature for at least three consecutive days, and that varies from 25C across the north and west of the UK, to 28C in parts of eastern England.

Whilst we have seen temperatures exceeding these figures in recent weeks, the warm spells haven't been long enough to qualify as a heatwave but that could be about to change.

A map showing heatwave thresholds across different areas of the UKImage source, MetOffice
Image caption,

A heatwave is defined by the Met Office three consecutive days above these temperatures

Temperatures over 30C for the first time this year

The warm weather will be concentrated across East Anglia and south-east England on Monday and Tuesday before spreading across the Midlands, east Wales and north England by the weekend.

On Monday we're likely to reach 26C, by Wednesday the heat becomes much more widespread with highs of 28C and by the weekend the hot spots surge somewhere between 30-33C.

Meanwhile, it will become warmer in Northern Ireland and Scotland later in the week, but it will be more comfortable here with temperatures mostly in the low 20Cs.

By Sunday things become more uncertain and we may see fresher air move in from the Atlantic with a risk of thundery downpours.

However, some models keep the heat for longer especially in East Anglia and south-east England with temperatures continuing to stay above the 30C mark.

A map showing how the heat becomes more widespread later this week
Image caption,

Becoming much hotter later this week

Heatwaves are becoming more common due to climate change, with a greater chance of seeing extreme heat.

They can cause problems for our infrastructure, such as trains running at reduced speeds due to the risk of train tracks expanding and buckling in the heat.

We also see an increase in heat-related health problems which can lead to an increase in excess deaths in those with underlying health conditions.

Heat health alerts are issued to warn health providers of the risk of a heat causing adverse impacts to the heath and wellbeing of the population.

More on this story

'Forever chemical' which may impact human reproduction found in 31 UK rivers

16 June 2025 at 07:33
Getty Images The River Ness flows through Inverness. There are two spires on the bank. Getty Images
The River Ness in Scotland was the only river of those sampled that did not show traces of the "forever chemical" TFA.

A chemical that scientists worry might have an impact on human reproduction has been found in rivers across the UK.

Researchers from York University analysed samples from 32 rivers in all the UK's 4 nations and found traces of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) at 98% of the test locations.

TFA is what's known as a "forever chemical" which means that it breaks down extremely slowly in nature, and so accumulates over time.

As with other "forever chemicals", also known as PFAS, just how much a threat to human health and at what concentrations is still being researched.

But scientists in Germany say having looked at the impact of TFA on animals they want it to be classed as toxic for reproduction.

TFA forms when synthetic chemicals from other "forever chemicals" such as those found in pesticides and refrigerants are partially broken down.

"This molecule (TFA) is everywhere," Alistair Boxall, professor of Environmental Science at the University of York who carried out the research, told the BBC. "We will all be drinking water containing TFA every day - so we'll be exposed throughout our lifetime. It's that long-term, low level exposure that is the big concern."

This new study was funded by environmental charity Fidras and involved sampling in 5 rivers in Wales, 3 in Northern Ireland 14 in Scotland and 10 in the north of England. The highest concentration was recorded on the River Kelvin in Glasgow.

The River Ness, which flows from Loch Ness to the Moray Firth, was the only river sampled not to show traces of TFA.

Recent studies in the EU have found TFA to be widespread, including in wine and food, human blood and breast milk.

Authorities in Germany have been looking with interest at rising TFA levels in drinking water. In the last two decades its concentrations have gone up fourfold and researchers have been trying to establish what impact - if any - it might have on human health.

Citing scientific studies that showed TFA affecting rabbit and rat foetuses, the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has applied to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for TFA to be classified as toxic for reproduction and harmful to the environment. That could eventually lead to recommendations being made in the EU as to how products containing TFA should be controlled.

"Currently, there are no expected adverse health effects from consuming water or food contaminated with TFA," said Andreas Hensel, president of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). "The new classification is an important step in preparing further measures to ensure that this remains the case in the future".

There aren't currently any rules or regulations in place to identify or reduce the concentrations of TFA either in the environment or in drinking water supplies in the UK.

But aware of concerns, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, which monitors and regulates drinking water quality in England and Wales, has just commissioned its own research. It will look at how much TFA is already in drinking water and what risk - if any - it poses.

"The information signposted by the University of York suggests that TFA can be formed from the degradation of PFAS-containing pesticides," Ann Bunting, Principal Inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, told the BBC. "It is important that the fate of pesticides and other chemicals in the environment is understood, in order to protect drinking water sources."

A spokesperson for Water UK, which represents the UK's water companies, told the BBC: "We want to see PFAS, including TFA, banned and the development of a national plan to remove it from the environment which should be paid for by manufacturers."

'They're weak': Israelis back conflict with Iran in neighbourhood struck by missile

16 June 2025 at 18:43
BBC Veronica Osipchik, 33, had her home damaged by the blastBBC
Veronica Osipchik, 33, had her home damaged by the blast

Bat Yam, just south of Tel Aviv, has long been a stronghold of support for Israel's right-wing governing coalition.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, an Iranian missile struck a 10-storey block of flats here, killing at least eight people and trapping dozens more under thick layers of rubble.

Despite the severe damage, locals strongly back Israel's attack on Iran, which began on Friday and has targeted nuclear facilities, missile sites, air defences, an airport and other infrastructure as well as nuclear and military personnel.

"It needed to be done," says Veronica Osipchik, 33, who lives about 200m (321ft) from the strike site. "But we didn't expect it to affect us like this."

Ms Osipchik had the windows and shutters of her apartment completely blown through. Almost every building in the vicinity suffered similar damage.

"We were in shock," she said, sat on a camping chair alongside a suitcase packed with food and toiletries.

The ballistic missiles that caused the damage in Bat Yam are far more powerful than the rockets fired by Hamas and Hezbollah over the past year and half. Those are mostly intercepted by Israel's sophisticated air defence system.

The first of those trapped under rubble were pulled out within hours. As of late Sunday, at least three people remained unaccounted for. "I saw fear in their eyes," said rescue paramedic Ori Lazarovich. "People came out all grey, covered in soot and ash and debris."

Avi, a 68-year old who did not want to give his surname, was born and raised in Bat Yam. "We need to keep hitting [Iran]" he says. "Of course we have to keep going. Otherwise, they'll drop an atomic bomb on us."

"They're weak. We're much stronger," he adds. "Israel is number one in the world."

Emil Mahmudov, 18, agreed: "We should have done this sooner. That's what most Israelis think."

AFP Rescuers search through rubble at site of Bat Yam strike. AFP

Israel's justification for its attack on Iran is to stop its nuclear programme. For well over a decade, successive governments have sounded alarm about the Iranian regime gaining nuclear weapons - something Iran denies seeking.

Even as Netanyahu has come under fire within Israel for the state of the war in Gaza, his chief political rivals - Benny Gantz, Avigdor Lieberman and Yair Lapid - have all expressed support for attacking Iran.

Professor Yossi Mekelberg, of the Middle East Programme at Chatham House, says there has "always been support to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear military capabilities".

But, he says, "this is much bigger than fighting Hamas in Gaza, even Hezbollah in Lebanon, or a very limited direct confrontation with Iran."

"This is evolving into a full-blown war. And there is fatigue in Israel after 20 months of war."

"If there are more casualties, if people are spending a long time in shelters, and if it becomes, again, another never-ending war," then support, he says, could erode.

By mid-afternoon on Sunday, Israel's far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir - who was recently sanctioned by the UK government for "inciting violence against Palestinians" - arrived in Bat Yam to meet mourners.

Flanked by a cohort of armed security personnel, he shook hands with shop owners along a street where many had their windows blown through by the shock of the blast.

Tom Bennett/BBC An elderly woman sites on a bench surrounded by her belongings. Tom Bennett/BBC
At least 100 people were injured by the blast in Bat Yam

One, who did not want to give his name, was sat on a plastic chair outside his bakery, which he'd run for 29 years. He said he was there to prevent looting.

Does he support opening a new front against Iran? "Of course," he says, waving his hands. "What kind of question is that?"

Netanyahu also visited Bat Yam on Sunday, to chants of "Bibi, King of Israel" - a play on a popular song about the Biblical warrior King David that many Jewish children learn in school.

Hours later, in an evening address, he mourned the dead, telling the nation: "This is a difficult day. I told you, there will be difficult days."

Even with broad support for the conflict, if it continues to escalate - and civilian deaths continue to rise - there will be a question over how many difficult days the Israeli public will tolerate.

Man and woman who died while skydiving in Devon named

16 June 2025 at 19:03
Scott Armstrong Belinda Taylor is stood wearing a black sleeveless vest with long brown hair. She is stood by a wooden gate with a white horse on the other side. Scott Armstrong
Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, died while skydiving in Devon, police say

Two people who died while skydiving in Devon have been named by police.

Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, and Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth, died in the accident at Dunkeswell Aerodrome at about 13:00 BST on Friday, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

The force said the skydivers died at the scene and their families had been informed.

It said inquiries were ongoing by police, British Skydiving and East Devon District Council Environmental Health and Safety Office.

British Skydiving said on Saturday it had been "notified of a tragic accident in which two jumpers lost their lives".

"Our deepest condolences go to their families, friends and the entire skydiving community," it said.

The Civil Aviation Authority said it was aware of the incident but could not comment any further due to it being an active investigation.

The Dunkeswell Aerodrome is a former RAF site located in the Blackdown Hills area of Devon, close to the county's border with Somerset.

According to the aerodrome's website, the site was originally built to be an American naval base during World War Two.

It is also claimed to be the highest licensed airfield in the UK at 839ft (256m) above sea level.

Along with skydiving, other activities on offer include Spitfire flight tours, wing-walking and flight training for aircraft.

MP pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges

16 June 2025 at 18:53
PA Media Patrick Spencer wears a navy suit and stands in front of a plain background.PA Media
Patrick Spencer appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court

An MP has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault that allegedly took place at London's Groucho Club.

Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer is accused of two assaults on two women on the same day in August 2023 - before he was elected.

The 37-year-old, who became a Conservative MP at the 2024 general election, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

He is due to appear next at Southwark Crown Court on 14 July for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Mr Spencer stood in the dock to confirm his name as Michael Patrick Spencer and his date of birth.

District Judge Paul Goldspring told the MP he was on unconditional bail.

The charges were first brought against Mr Spencer in May.

Frank Ferguson, head of the special crime and counter terrorism division at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), previously said: "Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, we have authorised two counts of sexual assault against Patrick Spencer MP.

"The charges follow two alleged incidents involving two separate women at the Groucho Club in central London in August 2023."

Father of Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen cleared of abusing his son

16 June 2025 at 17:40

Ingebrigtsen's father cleared of abuse of Olympic champion

A court sketch of Gjert IngebrigtsenImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Gjert Ingebrigtsen masterminded his sons' early careers before their relationship disintegrated

  • Published

Gjert Ingebrigtsen, the father and former trainer of Norwegian athletics star Jakob Ingebrigtsen, has been cleared of abusing the two-time Olympic champion, but found guilty of violence against his daughter Ingrid.

In the climax of a trial that has gripped Norway, the court announced that there was insufficient evidence of Jakob's claims that his father had overseen a childhood of fear and intimidation marked by violence and threats.

However, Gjert was found guilty of hitting Ingrid, now 19, in the face with a towel during a row in 2022.

Gjert has been given a suspended prison sentence of 15 days for the incident and fined 10,000 Norwegian Kroner (£745). Prosecutors had sought a two-and-half-year jail sentence against the 59-year-old.

Jakob, 24, won 1500m gold at the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 before winning the 5,000m title at the Paris Games of 2024. He also has two world titles over the longer distance.

He formally severed coaching ties from Gjert in 2022.

In a 31-page verdict, the court said there was no indication of the fear Jakob claimed Gjert inspired in a long-running television documentary following the family, or a recording made of an argument during a training camp in St Moritz in 2019.

"Jakob shows no signs of fear or submission in relation to the defendant," the court said of the latter.

"He stands his ground and retaliates against the defendant's verbal abuse.

"Violence in close relationships can occur in secret and remain hidden from the outside world.

"However, the explanations and recordings reviewed in the preceding paragraphs are difficult to reconcile with the prosecution's claim that the defendant subjected Jakob to continuous and repeated abuse throughout the period from 2008 to 2018.

"Even though Jakob and his brothers and spouses have given credible statements, the total weight of the statements and other evidence reviewed means that the court must conclude that there is reasonable doubt about the defendant's guilt."

Gjert oversaw a training regime that propelled Jakob and his older brothers Henrik and Filip – both European champions – onto the world stage.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen wins Olympic gold over 5000m in ParisImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Ingebrigtsen is ranked as number one in the world over 1500m and number two over 5,000m by World Athletics

However, in October 2023, the three brothers wrote a joint article accusing Gjert of being" very aggressive and controlling" and using "physical violence and threats as part of their upbringing."

Jakob claimed that his father had punched and kicked him while he was still in primary school and threatened to beat him to death during one argument.

Jakob, Henrik and Filip said they decided to publicly accuse their father after he hit their younger sister Ingrid in the face with a towel during a row in 2022 over whether she could go out with friends.

While admitting that he was a strict father with a "traditional and patriarchal" style of parenting, Gjert had denied that the charges against him, saying he was "over-protective" of his seven children.

"This case has no winners, and today's verdict shows that all those affected have been exposed to an enormous burden that should have been avoided," said Gjert's lawyer John Christian Elden.

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Investigators find cockpit voice recorder from crashed Air India flight

16 June 2025 at 15:30
Getty Images The wreckage of the crashed Air India plane is being lifted by a crane from the roof of the BJ Medical College mess building, on June 14, 2025 in Ahmedabad, India. Getty Images
Investigators are trying to piece together why the Air India plane crashed seconds after take-off

Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the crashed Air India flight, a key step in uncovering what caused last week's deadly accident.

The London-bound Air India aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed soon after taking off on Thursday from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad. At least 270 people have been killed, most of them passengers.

The CVR captures audio from the cockpit, including pilot conversations, alarms and ambient sounds.

The flight data recorder (FDR), which logs crucial flight parameters like altitude, speed and engine performance, had been recovered from the debris on Friday.

Both the CVR and FDR collectively form what is commonly known as the "black box" of a plane. It is a vital tool in air crash investigations, helping experts reconstruct the flight's final moments and determine the cause of the incident.

The black box, unlike the name suggests, is actually two bright orange devices - one for the CVR and the other for the FDR - painted with reflective strips for easier recovery after a crash. Both these devices are designed to survive a crash.

Getty Images A relative of a victim, who died or is severely injured due to the Air India Boeing Dreamliner plane crash, waits for news outside a hospital on June 13, 2025 in Ahmedabad, IndiaGetty Images
Dozens of families are waiting to collect the remains of their loved ones after DNA tests confirm a match

India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the inquiry into the cause of the crash, helped by teams from the US and the UK.

On Sunday, officials from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) surveyed the site of the plane crash.

"The AAIB has launched a detailed investigation, and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting a parallel probe under international protocols, since the aircraft is American-made," a statement released on Sunday said.

Indian media outlets have reported, citing sources, that officials from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - the US aviation safety agency - also visited the site.

Separately, a high-level committee set up by the Indian government to examine the reasons behind the crash is expected to hold its first meeting on Monday.

The committee will submit a preliminary report within three months, the All India Radio said, and will propose new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to help prevent similar incidents in future.

As the investigation continues, families on the ground are still grappling with disbelief and trauma.

Less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, the AI171 flight crashed into a doctors' accommodation building at the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital.

All but one of the 242 passengers and crew members were killed. Officials have also been trying to establish how many people were killed on the ground and continuing the slow process of matching DNA samples to confirm the victims' identities.

Over the weekend, doctors said 270 bodies had been recovered from the site of the crash.

More than 90 victims have been identified through DNA matching, Dr Rajnish Patel of Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital said on Monday. He added that 47 of the identified bodies have been sent to their families.

Among the identified victims is Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat, whose funeral will be held on Monday. Rupani, whose political career spanned more than 50 years, will be laid to rest with full state honours in Rajkot city.

For many other families, the agonising wait continues.

Officials told the BBC that the identification process has been slow and painstaking, as many of the bodies were badly burned in the crash and are being processed in small batches.

Mistry Jignesh, waiting outside the hospital for updates on his niece, told the BBC on Saturday that officials told him that it might take longer for them to hand over his niece's remains as the search for bodies is still ongoing. He had earlier been told that the body would be handed over by Sunday, after the 72 hours it normally takes to complete DNA matching.

"When people are still missing, how can they complete the DNA process by tomorrow? What if my niece's remains haven't even been found? The wait is killing us," he said.

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'Shared ownership is a con and we felt trapped'

16 June 2025 at 12:41
BBC Chris, a man with glasses and wearing a grey polo shirt, is sat on a purple sofa next to his wife Diana, who had long light brown hair and is wearing glasses and a white T-shirt. They are both looking at the cameraBBC
Chris and Diana struggled to sell their shared ownership property, and lost £10,000 in the process

Touted as a stepping stone to getting on the property ladder, shared ownership was designed to be one answer to a tough housing market.

But behind the hope lies a growing wave of discontent, as complaints to the housing watchdog - over repairs, costs and selling - have soared.

"We had none of the rights of homeowners, and all the obligations of renters," said Diana, who together with her husband Chris, bought a shared ownership property in east London in February 2020.

Shared ownership schemes involve purchasing a share of a property and paying rent on the rest.

But the couple decided to sell in 2021 after finding it "traumatic".

They said they had to try to sell through what is known as a nomination period during which the housing association or landlord has the exclusive right to find a buyer for the shared ownership home.

Two years later and £10,000 worse off, after the property was re-evaluated at less than what they paid, they eventually sold.

"It's a big con and we felt trapped," said Diana.

"Not being able to sell was a trauma."

They have gone back to private renting because, according to Chris, it is "much simpler and easier".

Now out of it, Diana says she would not recommend the scheme because "they sell it to you as a dream but then it became a nightmare".

There are currently about 250,000 shared ownership households in England, according to figures.

In 2019-20 there were about 202,000, according to the English Housing Survey.

Although more shared ownership properties were being delivered year on year, the complaint figures, obtained via a BBC Freedom Of Information (FOI) Act request, show shared ownership complaints have risen by almost 400% in the past five years, and are continuing to rise.

The FOI also found:

  • There has been a rapid increase in the number of complaints the ombudsman has received relating to shared ownership tenures; in 2024 it received 1,564 - almost five times the 324 received in 2020
  • Shared ownership complaints have risen faster than wider social housing ones
  • Of the complaints made over the last five years, 44% were based in London, and the South East having the second highest number

The most common complaints relate to repairs, costs, managing relations, and moving and selling properties.

Kathy bought a 40% share with a friend in a two-bedroom flat in north London in 2017. She pays a subsidised rent on the remaining 60%.

"I don't have the bank of mum and dad. It was either that or put most of my salary into rent and have this feeling that I'd never be on the property ladder or have my own space," said the 44-year-old.

"I love my flat and the community. In terms of where the building is located and how close it is to London, these are all amazing things.

"But it has mega downsides, particularly regarding finances and transparency and the level of service that we receive from the housing provider."

Kathy, who is has long curly brown hair with a fringe, wearing a green V-neck Adidas top
Kathy says she has had to get a lodger to keep her "head above water" to cover increasing costs but her long-term plan is to sell

In the past eight years, she said her costs had increased so much, including more than £200 a month rise in service charges, that she has had to get a lodger and cannot afford to increase her share.

Repairs take years to complete, she said, adding a buzzer was broken for a year and a sewage system has been faulty since 2012.

"The sewage was overflowing and flowing directly into the river, and going into the children's playground. It stank in summertime," she said.

"They sent out all these consultants and they charged everything to us. The sewage system was not fit for purpose so why are we paying?"

Kathy's housing association is not being named because her neighbours are scared it will devalue the property.

"It's not affordable anymore. I have to have a lodger live in my house just to help me pay and keep my head above water," Kathy added.

"My long-term plan is to sell - I can't continue like this."

Fatima, a woman with shoulder-length greying hair, wearing glasses and a black top
Single parent Fatima said she had "no choice" but to choose shared ownership

Fatima bought a shared ownership property in 2019 after being evicted from two rental properties when her two children were younger.

As a single parent, she said there was "no way" she would have been able to get a mortgage so shared ownership was "the only option".

Now "in a bind" due to an 80% increase in service charges within the last year, Fatima, along with others in the block, complained and said they would not pay the increase until it had been investigated.

Repairs have been an issue for a long time, she said. When the BBC filmed at her flat, the communal corridors were heated to 31C (88F) and the lift was broken.

"The biggest issue is all the heating costs that go into our service charges are heating the communal hallways. The building is cooking from the inside."

A thermometer showing that the corridor in Fatima's corridor was 31C (88F)
Fatima's corridor was 31C (88F) due to issues with overheating

She said the shared ownership model was an "in-between option which could work if there weren't so many companies involved".

There was a freeholder who had appointed a managing agent, as well as a housing association, she said.

"We don't know who to go to, everything takes so long."

Fatima added: "I have an asset but if it's unsellable and unaffordable it's not an asset.

"It's always on my mind. It causes a lot of anxiety."

'Relationship breakdown'

Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway said the "inherent complexities" of shared ownership presented challenges to landlords and residents.

"Shared ownership has been around for decades, and there are still some inequities with the way in which it works that is driving complaints to us," he said.

He described a "mismatch" between the expectation and understanding of the shared owner and the landlord.

"Whilst it can start off as smiles, very quickly we can see that relationship break down."

Richard Blakeway, a man with greying hair, glasses and wearing a dark-coloured jacket over a shirt with a white collar and dark-coloured jumper
Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway says the government should address "fundamental inequities" in the shared ownership system

He added the number of parties involved could be "depressing for a shared owner; that feeling of being passed from pillar to post and being fobbed off at different parts of the process".

"I can also see from a landlord's perspective they don't necessarily always have all of the levers in their hands to resolve the issue," he said.

"Put all of that together and you've got a perfect storm - and that's what lands on our desks."

He added that landlords must improve communication and transparency, and the government should address "fundamental inequities in the way in which shared ownership is designed".

The Shared Ownership Council, a cross-sector initiative, said while it believed shared ownership had a "key role to play" in addressing housing needs, it recognised it "has not always worked as well as it should for everyone" and "key challenges" need to be addressed.

"We take the concerns raised by the Housing Ombudsman and shared owners very seriously," it added.

It has recently developed a code to "standardise best practices and consumer protection" ensuring, it says, "transparency, fairness, and improved support for shared owners in marketing, purchasing and management of homes".

'Drive up transparency'

But Timea Szabo from the campaign group Shared Owners network says it is "too little, too late".

"This is a sector that has consistently failed to comply with their statutory obligations - some of the housing providers who back the code have multiple maladministration findings to their name," she said.

"We do not think that a voluntary code of practice will have much of an impact on their day-to-day experience."

Figures shared exclusively with the BBC show 83 of 140 (59%) of Shared Owners members surveyed in February 2025 have struggled to sell their share, for reasons including unresolved building safety issues, high service charges, and a short lease that the shared owner cannot legally extend.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said it was "aware of the challenges faced by some who have entered the scheme".

The spokesperson added the government was "considering what more can be done to improve the experience of shared owners, alongside consulting this year on implementing measures to drive up transparency of service charges, ensuring leaseholders and tenants can better hold their landlords to account".

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UK's largest road tunnel project awarded £590m

16 June 2025 at 12:30
National Highways A graphic showing the new road emerging from the tunnels. It has carriageways travelling in both directions and it is surrounded by fields. In the background the River Thames is pictured.National Highways
About 2.6 miles (4.2km) of the Lower Thames Crossing is to run underground

A project to build the UK's largest road tunnel has been granted £590m by the government.

Constructing the Lower Thames Crossing, linking Tilbury in Essex and Gravesend in Kent, will cost an estimated £10bn.

Plans for the 14.5-mile (23km) route were approved in March after a 16-year process that has already cost £1.2bn.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the crossing would aid "smoother, less congested passage of vital goods from Europe to our regions".

It came as part of a £1bn package to improve transport infrastructure across England, announced on Monday.

The government said it was looking to source private finance to build the Lower Thames Crossing, branding it a "national priority".

National Highways hoped the road would reduce traffic at the Dartford Crossing by 20%.

Construction was expected to begin in 2026 ahead of an expected opening by 2032.

National Highways A CGI image of part of the new Lower Thames Crossing. Cars are being driven through a tunnel which runs underneath a grassed area with trees.National Highways
Most of the route will be in a tunnel or hidden behind landscaped embankments and mounds

"This is a turning point for our national infrastructure, and we're backing it with funding to support thousands of jobs and connect communities," Reeves said.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander added: "This project is essential for improving the resilience of a key freight route and is critical to our long term trade with Europe."

The road will link the A2 and M2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Thurrock.

About 2.6 miles (4.2km) of the route is to be underground, with northbound and southbound tunnels running next to each other beneath the Thames.

The funding announcement was welcomed by Logistics UK, which represents the transport and logistics sector.

"Efficient logistics with minimal delays is critical to the delivery of the government's growth agenda, and our members are delighted to hear that funding has been made available to start work on the long-planned Lower Thames Crossing, after a decade of holdups at this vital interchange," said policy director Kevin Green.

"It is imperative that the government also sets out a plan for providing and securing the full funding required to complete the project – our members deserve to be able to deliver efficiently for the industry they support, so that the economy can benefit."

However, campaigners have raised concerns about ancient woodland being impacted by the works.

Chris Todd, director of Transport Action Network, previously said the decision was "absolute madness".

He added: "The only way that the government can afford this white elephant would be to take money from all the other nations and regions in the UK."

Lower Thames Crossing plans approved

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Trump orders increase in migrant deportations

16 June 2025 at 13:18
Getty Images U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents stand in front of chain link fenceGetty Images
Trump's latest order comes amid a new wave of protests against his immigration policies

US President Donald Trump has ordered an expansion of the detention and deportation of migrants across the country as protests against his policies continue.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump called on federal agencies to "do all in their power" to deliver "the single largest mass deportation programme in history", naming Los Angeles, Chicago and New York as specific targets.

These cities are among the many where large-scale protests have broken out against raids on undocumented migrants since 6 June.

Trump has faced legal challenges and criticism for his response to the protests - particularly his deployment of the military to quell the demonstrations.

Trump said he had directed the "entire administration to put every resource possible behind this effort".

He also promised to prevent "anyone who undermines the domestic tranquility of the United States" from entering the country.

Addressing various federal offices including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice), he wrote "you have my unwavering support. Now go, get the job done!"

The post came a day after a new wave of protests against Trump's policies across the country.

On 14 June, the "No Kings" movement demonstrated in cities stretching from Los Angeles to New York. Those demonstrations also coincided with a military parade in Washington DC to mark 250 years of the US army, which was held on the president's 79th birthday.

One person died in a shooting at a No Kings march in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Trump also ordered immigration authorities to focus their efforts on sanctuary cities - those that limit their assistance to federal immigration authorities - which during the protests have become a source of tension between federal and state lawmakers.

Officials in these places have defended their legal rights to protect undocumented migrants.

The command to expand deportations signals a follow-through on Trump's campaign promise to provide the "largest deportation programme of criminals in the history of America".

Opinion polls suggested this policy had widespread support in the build-up to the 2024 US election. Since the deportation programme has grown, however, protests have only increased.

This new order came just a day after the Trump administration directed immigration officials to largely pause raids on farms, hotels, restaurants and meatpacking plants, according to the Reuters news agency.

The reality behind Trump's incredible investment claims

16 June 2025 at 08:44
Getty Images US President Donald Trump pumps his fists on stage with an American flag seen behind him as he tours the Al Udeid Air Base on 15 May 2025, in Doha, Qatar.Getty Images

US President Donald Trump may have called tariffs his favourite word in the dictionary. But when it comes to obsessions, business investment has got to be close.

As of last month, he said more than $12 trillion (£8.8tn) had been "practically committed" on his watch. "Nobody's ever seen numbers like we have," he said, crediting his agenda of tariffs, tax cuts and deregulation with making the difference.

If true, the figure would indeed be astonishing, potentially tripling the roughly $4tn in gross private investment the US reported all of last year.

So is a sudden gush of business spending setting the stage for a new golden economic era as Trump claims, or is it all theatre?

First things first: it is too early in Trump's tenure to have clear data to evaluate his claims. The US government publishes statistics on business investment only every three months.

January to March, which reflect two months of Trump's tenure, show a strong jump in business investment, albeit one that analysts said was partly due to data skewed by an earlier Boeing strike.

Other anecdotal and survey evidence indicates that Trump's impact on investment is far more incremental than he has claimed.

"We have hardly any data at this point and almost all the information we have is probably for investment projects that were planned and ordered last year," says economist Nick Bloom, a professor at Stanford University whose work looks at the impact of uncertainty on business investment.

"My guess is business investment is down a little bit, not massively... primarily because uncertainty is quite high and that will pause it."

Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche, which announced plans to invest $50bn in the US over five years in April, is a good example.

Some of the projects included in the sum were already in the works.

Executives have also warned that some of Trump's ideas - in particular a proposal to overhaul drug pricing - could imperil its plans.

"The pharma industry would need to review their expenses including investments," the company said.

Getty Images On his first day in office, President Donald Trump held a press conference touting investment by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, and Oracle co-founder, CTO and Executive Chairman Larry EllisonGetty Images
On his first day in office, President Trump touted investment by SoftBank's Masayoshi Son, Oracle's Larry Ellison and OpenAI's Sam Altman

Trump typically makes his case pointing to investment promises made by high-profile firms such as Apple and Hyundai.

The White House keeps a running tally of those announcements, but at the start of June, it put total new investments at roughly $5.3tn - less than half the sum cited by Trump.

Even that figure is inflated.

Roughly a third of the 62 investments on the list include plans that were at least partially in the works before Trump took office. For example:

  • Stellantis, on the list for a $5bn plan to reopen a factory in Belvidere, Illinois, initially made that promise in 2023.
  • Other commitments include items that are not traditionally considered investments at all - like Apple's $500bn spending pledge, which includes taxes and salaries paid to workers already at the company.

Falling 'well short' of headlines

In reality, as of mid-May, new investment stemming from the announcements likely totalled something closer to $134bn, according to analysis by Goldman Sachs.

That sum shrank to as little as $30bn, not including investments backed by foreign governments, once researchers factored in the risk that some projects might fail to materialise, or would have happened anyway.

"Though not negligible economically, such increases would fall well short of the recent headlines," they wrote.

When pressed on the numbers, White House spokesman Kush Desai brushed off concerns that the administration's claims did not match reality.

"The Trump administration is using a multifaceted approach to drive investment into the United States... and no amount of pointless nitpicking and hairsplitting can refute that it's paying off," he said in a statement, which noted that many firms had explicitly credited Trump and his policies for shaping their plans.

Getty Images US President Donald Trump speaks in the Cross Hall of the White House during an event on "Investing in America" on April 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump was joined by CEOs to highlight their companies during the event. Getty Images
Trump invited chief executives to the White House to mark his first 100 days in office

The BBC approached more than two dozen firms with investments on the White House list.

Many did not respond or referred to previous statements.

Others acknowledged that work on some of their projects pre-dated the current administration.

Incentive to exaggerate

Exaggeration by politicians and companies is hardly unexpected.

But the Trump administration's willingness to radically intervene in the economy, with tariffs and other changes, has given companies reason to pump up their plans in ways that flatter the president, says Martin Chorzempa, senior fellow at the Petersen Institute of International Economics.

"A firm making an announcement is a way to get some current benefits, without necessarily being held to those [spending pledges] if the situation changes," he says. "There's a strong incentive for companies to provide as large a number as possible."

That's not to say that Trump policies aren't making a difference.

The tariff threats have "definitely been a catalyst" for pharmaceutical firms to plan more manufacturing in the US, a key source of sector profits, says Stephen Farrelly, global lead for pharma and healthcare at ING.

But, he adds, there are limits to what the threats can accomplish.

The pharma investments are set to unfold over time - a decade in some cases - in a sector that was poised for growth anyway.

And they have come from firms selling branded drugs - not the cheaper, generic medicines that many Americans rely on and that are made in China and India.

Mr Farrelly also warned that the sector's investments may be at risk over the long term, given uncertainty about the government's approach to tariffs, drug pricing and scientific research.

Overall, many analysts expect investment growth to slow in the US this year due to policy uncertainty.

Economist German Gutierrez of the University of Washington says Trump is right to want to boost investment in the US, but believes his emphasis on global competition misdiagnoses the problem.

His own work has found the decline in investment is due in part to industry consolidation. Now a few large firms dominate sectors, there is less incentive to invest to compete.

In addition, the kinds of investments firms are making are typically cheaper items such as software rather than machines and factories.

Tariffs, Prof Gutierrez says, are unlikely to address those issues.

"The way it's being done and the type of instruments they are using are not the best ways to achieve this goal. It just takes a lot more to really get this going," he says.

Trump told Israel not to kill Iran's supreme leader, says report

16 June 2025 at 08:27
Getty Images A close-up of US President Donald Trump sitting in the Oval Office. He is looking to his left, wearing a red tie with a US flag pin on his suit. Getty Images

US President Donald Trump rejected a plan by Israel to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, three US officials have told BBC's US partner CBS News.

Trump reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that assassinating Khamenei was not a good idea, according to one official. The president has not commented publicly on the report.

The conversation is said to have happened since Israel launched its attack on Iran on Friday.

During an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu did not directly confirm or deny a report from Reuters that Trump had vetoed a plan to killed the ayatollah.

"There's so many false reports of conversations that never happened and I'm not going to get into that," the Israeli prime minister said.

"But I can tell you I think we do what we need to do. We will do what we need to do and I think the United States knows what is good for the United States and I'm just not going to get into it."

An Israeli official told CBS News that "in principle," Israel does not "kill political leaders, we are focused on nuclear and military. I don't think anyone making decisions about those programs should be living free and easy."

Israel first launched an attack on Iranian nuclear infrastructure and other targets on Friday.

Iran later confirmed the head of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) intelligence unit, Mohammad Kazemi, had been killed, alongside a deputy and another commander.

The two countries have continued to launch massive strikes at each other since, with attacks entering a third day on Sunday.

In his latest post on Truth Social about the escalating situation in the Middle East, Trump said "Iran and Israel should make a deal", adding that he would get the two to cease hostilities "just like I got India and Pakistan" - referring to the recent confrontation between the countries.

In a separate post on Saturday, the president said the US "had nothing to do with the attack on Iran".

"If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before," he warned.

Man suspected of shooting Minnesota lawmakers arrested after huge manhunt

16 June 2025 at 15:00
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office/Facebook/Reuters Police handout image showing the arrest of Vance Luther BoelterRamsey County Sheriff's Office/Facebook/Reuters
Police said Vance Luther Boelter was armed at the time of his arrest

A 57-year-old man has been arrested in the US state of Minnesota on suspicion of killing a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband.

The arrest on Sunday night was the culmination of a huge two-day manhunt following the deaths of Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota Democrat, and her husband Mark. State Governor Tim Walz called it a "politically motivated assassination".

Police said Vance Luther Boelter was armed at the time of his arrest in a rural area west of Minneapolis, but gave himself up peacefully when challenged.

The suspect is also alleged to have shot and wounded Democratic State Senator John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette, who are both now awake in hospital.

Mrs Hoffman said on Sunday that both felt "incredibly lucky to be alive".

Boelter was detained after investigators found a car he allegedly used in Sibley County, about 50 miles (80km) from the murder scene in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

Air and SWAT teams were deployed to arrest the suspect in what was described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota's history.

No police officers were injured during his apprehension, and officials said they were not looking for any other suspects.

Speaking at a press conference with other local officials on Sunday night, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the attack was an "unspeakable act" that had "altered the state of Minnesota".

"This cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences," Walz said.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised the "skill and bravery" of law enforcement agencies following Boelter's arrest.

"Political violence is abhorrent, it cuts against the most basic moral fabric of our democracy. It's critical that those who commit these acts be held accountable under the law," he added.

Boelter is accused of impersonating a police officer to carry out the attacks on Saturday, before exchanging fire with police officers and fleeing from the area of suburban Minneapolis.

Melissa Hortman had served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for 20 years, and was speaker of the chamber from 2019 to 2025.

Boelter, a former political appointee, was once a member of the same state workforce development board as Hoffman.

He is a security contractor and religious missionary who has worked in Africa and the Middle East, according to his online CV.

Boelter once preached as a pastor at a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Facebook photos.

Investigators reportedly found a list of "targets" in the vehicle that the suspect is thought to have driven for the alleged shootings.

Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, told reporters that he would not describe the notebook found in the car as a "manifesto" as it was not "a treatise on all kinds of ideology and writings".

Local media have reported that the names included Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and state Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

At the press conference following Boelter's arrest, Evans did not specify who was featured on the list, but said that state officials had contacted authorities in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska and Iowa so that they could "notify individuals that were on that list".

‘I broke my jaw in half’: Accidents raise questions about funfair safety

16 June 2025 at 13:03
Jade Harrison speaks about her accident at Hull Fair, in 2019

"I could feel myself slip. I just woke up and I was laid on the floor on my back and I remember thinking, what am I doing here? I started panicking."

Jade Harrison is describing the moment she was thrown from a ride at Hull Fair in 2019.

She suffered serious injuries, some of which she is still dealing with, six years on.

Jade is one of thousands of people who have been injured at funfairs and amusement and theme parks in England, Scotland and Wales over the last decade, a BBC Panorama investigation has found.

There were 3,188 injuries in England, Scotland and Wales between April 2014 and March 2024, including slips, trips and falls, with 350 in 2023/24, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request put to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Funfair rides have to undergo major inspections when they are first manufactured and at least every year afterwards - and inspectors of those rides play a crucial role in ensuring their safety.

However, Panorama has discovered serious concerns within the industry about the regulation of these inspections as well as accidents, criminal convictions and safety warnings linked to one inspector in particular.

Jade's story

The Air Maxx is captured in motion during dusk. The ride consists of large mechanical arms decorated with vivid lights in blue, yellow, and pink. One of the arms is elevated, holding a seat with two people securely strapped in, facing outward. The background reveals additional illuminated rides and attractions, contributing to the festive atmosphere. On the left side, tall trees frame the scene, while the sky above is partly cloudy, transitioning from daylight to evening.
The Airmaxx 360 ride can reach speeds of 60mph

A trip to Hull Fair with friends was one of Jade's favourite annual traditions - but that changed in October 2019.

Jade, who's now 27, boarded the Airmaxx 360 ride which can reach speeds of up to 60mph. Just seconds after it started up, something worrying caught her attention.

She says she heard a clicking noise in her safety restraint, after which she began to slip out of her seat. She was thrown from the ride, flying through the air and hitting another nearby ride.

When she eventually opened her eyes, she had no memory of what had happened, or where she was.

"I could barely walk, I broke my jaw completely in half. I had damage to mainly back teeth on both sides. I had internal bruising, severe damage to both thighs, and then just bruising all over my body, like black, purple bruises," she says.

A 2019 photo of Jade lying in a hospital bed shortly after her accident. She has long, light brown hair and are wearing a white medical neck brace that extends from the lower face to the upper chest. There is visible redness or blood around the lips and chin area, suggesting recent trauma or injury.  She is resting on white bedding, and the background features a light blue wall, contributing to the clinical setting.
Jade suffered serious injuries from her accident in 2019 and is still recovering

Surgeons had to remove two teeth that were unsavable, and placed three metal plates in her jaw. "They'll stay there," she says.

Jade received compensation from the ride's owners, who admitted liability for her accident on the AirMaxx 360.

However, she received a further shock in 2023 when the HSE – which investigates serious funfair accidents – confirmed there had been a fatality on exactly the same ride in Australia in 2014.

Eight year-old Adelene Leong died after being thrown from the Airmaxx 360. She was 3cm shorter than the ride's height requirement.

Panorama has seen documents, obtained by Jade through an FOI request, from the HSE's investigation into the Airmaxx 360 accident in Hull.

They say that "the mechanical design of primary and secondary locks that are intended to prevent movement of the restraint was found to be inadequate".

We also asked the Australian coroner for their report into the death of Adelene Leong.

This states that the safety of the machine was poor, particularly the locking mechanism of the restraints.

The ride was never used again in Australia after Adelene's death, but three years later, in 2017, it was sold to a UK owner.

Ride owners, or controllers, are responsible for making sure their amusements are safe by having them thoroughly inspected. All rides are supposed to undergo a major initial inspection, called a design review, to ensure they are operating safely.

The company that carried out the design review on the Airmaxx 360 was DMG Technical, owned by David Geary. Panorama has discovered he and his company have a history of inspecting rides later involved in funfair accidents.

In 2017, after a five-year-old's ankle was crushed by a rollercoaster, Mr Geary received a criminal conviction and a fine for failing to identify risks.

And in May 2024, he received a suspended prison sentence for a design review failure that contributed to a woman being thrown from a ride, leaving her in a coma for weeks.

As well as prosecuting him twice, Panorama has discovered that the HSE has also formally warned Mr Geary or his company about eight safety breaches over the past 10 years.

The HSE can ban inspectors but it rarely uses this power, and it did not take such action against Mr Geary.

David Geary, a man with gray hair, dressed in a dark suit and white shirt, is walking along a brick pathway. Behind him, a metal railing runs parallel to the path, and the background features a gray wall with horizontal lines, giving the scene a modern, urban appearance.
Mr Geary was suspended as a ride inspector in 2025

The trade council for the funfair industry runs a safety scheme for ride inspectors, known as Adips (Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme) which is endorsed by the HSE.

Despite Mr Geary's convictions, fines and the multiple HSE warnings, he and his company DMG Technical were allowed to continue operating, and both remained on the Adips-approved list until they were finally suspended in March 2025.

In May this year an Adips disciplinary hearing decided Mr Geary should remain suspended and said he would have to resign from DMG Technical if the company is to remain on the Adips register.

Mr Geary says that during his more than 30 years in the industry both he and his company "have prevented numerous incidents" and "the primary concern has always been public safety".

He also says he no longer carries out "any inspection work on amusement rides".

Regarding the Airmaxx 360 ride, Mr Geary says that it had been modified following the Australian accident, and may also have been tampered with before the UK one.

He says he cannot comment further as he did not carry out the ride's annual inspection.

'Not fit for purpose'

An industry insider who has spoken to Panorama anonymously, describes the current Adips scheme as "not fit for purpose".

He says: "There are some ride examiners who are not as competent as they should be and not as diligent as they should be."

Adips says the fairground industry "has a record that would be the envy of many industries in this country" but it "will always look at learning points to make things safer".

It says it is considering revising its disciplinary process so that suspension may be "the default position if enforcement action is taken by the police or regulator".

Alex Nicholls
Ride inspector Alex Nicholls says there needs to be a major overhaul of safety at funfairs

After Mr Geary's suspension, Adips gave the HSE a list of 87 ride designs he and DMG Technical had reviewed. The HSE has not shared it publicly, or explained what action, if any, it has taken as a result.

"If I was the Health and Safety Executive receiving that list of rides, I'd be concerned," says Alex Nicholls, a ride inspector and engineer.

The HSE has not commented on the list but says it expects those who enjoy fairgrounds to be kept safe and adds that incidents are rare.

It says it is currently reviewing its industry safety guidance "to decide whether it, and the system it underpins, remains fit for purpose".

Mr Nicholls says there needs to be a major overhaul of safety at funfairs: "We can't allow this to happen again. You know, the names will change, but if the game is the same, then we're just going to have the same problems over and over."

'Forever chemical' scientists fear may affect reproduction found in 31 UK rivers

16 June 2025 at 07:33
Getty Images The River Ness flows through Inverness. There are two spires on the bank. Getty Images
The River Ness in Scotland was the only river of those sampled that did not show traces of the "forever chemical" TFA.

A chemical that scientists worry might have an impact on human reproduction has been found in rivers across the UK.

Researchers from York University analysed samples from 32 rivers in all the UK's 4 nations and found traces of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) at 98% of the test locations.

TFA is what's known as a "forever chemical" which means that it breaks down extremely slowly in nature, and so accumulates over time.

As with other "forever chemicals", also known as PFAS, just how much a threat to human health and at what concentrations is still being researched.

But scientists in Germany say having looked at the impact of TFA on animals they want it to be classed as toxic for reproduction.

TFA forms when synthetic chemicals from other "forever chemicals" such as those found in pesticides and refrigerants are partially broken down.

"This molecule (TFA) is everywhere," Alistair Boxall, professor of Environmental Science at the University of York who carried out the research, told the BBC. "We will all be drinking water containing TFA every day - so we'll be exposed throughout our lifetime. It's that long-term, low level exposure that is the big concern."

This new study was funded by environmental charity Fidras and involved sampling in 5 rivers in Wales, 3 in Northern Ireland 14 in Scotland and 10 in the north of England. The highest concentration was recorded on the River Kelvin in Glasgow.

The River Ness, which flows from Loch Ness to the Moray Firth, was the only river sampled not to show traces of TFA.

Recent studies in the EU have found TFA to be widespread, including in wine and food, human blood and breast milk.

Authorities in Germany have been looking with interest at rising TFA levels in drinking water. In the last two decades its concentrations have gone up fourfold and researchers have been trying to establish what impact - if any - it might have on human health.

Citing scientific studies that showed TFA affecting rabbit and rat foetuses, the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has applied to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for TFA to be classified as toxic for reproduction and harmful to the environment. That could eventually lead to recommendations being made in the EU as to how products containing TFA should be controlled.

"Currently, there are no expected adverse health effects from consuming water or food contaminated with TFA," said Andreas Hensel, president of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). "The new classification is an important step in preparing further measures to ensure that this remains the case in the future".

There aren't currently any rules or regulations in place to identify or reduce the concentrations of TFA either in the environment or in drinking water supplies in the UK.

But aware of concerns, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, which monitors and regulates drinking water quality in England and Wales, has just commissioned its own research. It will look at how much TFA is already in drinking water and what risk - if any - it poses.

"The information signposted by the University of York suggests that TFA can be formed from the degradation of PFAS-containing pesticides," Ann Bunting, Principal Inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, told the BBC. "It is important that the fate of pesticides and other chemicals in the environment is understood, in order to protect drinking water sources."

A spokesperson for Water UK, which represents the UK's water companies, told the BBC: "We want to see PFAS, including TFA, banned and the development of a national plan to remove it from the environment which should be paid for by manufacturers."

G7 summit is a big moment for Canada's PM Carney. Here are five things to watch

16 June 2025 at 09:38
Getty Images Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney seen against a blue backdrop, wearing a darker blue suit and tie. He has a neutral expression Getty Images

Leaders of some of the world's wealthiest countries have descended on a luxury mountain lodge nestled in Canada's Rockies for this year's G7 summit.

The elite gathering comes as Western allies face numerous crises, from conflicts on three continents to global economic instability.

Canada chairs the G7 this year and will host leaders of Italy, US, France, Germany, UK and Japan in Kananaskis, Alberta. It has promised a set of streamlined priorities focused around the global economy and security.

But Mark Carney's carefully planned agenda has now been upended by the Israel-Iran conflict.

It is his first major international gathering as Canadian prime minister.

Here are five challenges ahead.

Big moment for Carney as Iran derails plans

This summit was set to be a test of his ability to meet three lofty goals he advanced for Canada - taking a leadership role on the global stage, becoming the strongest G7 economy and weaning off US dependency.

Now the Iran issue has suddenly shot to the top of the G7 agenda, forcing his officials to rejig their preparations.

But one thing is clear. Carney will be closely watched for how he handles US President Donald Trump, who has frequently undermined Canada's sovereignty.

John Kirton, director of G7 Research Group at the University of Toronto, says that scrutiny will start from the arrival ceremony, where he will need to show that he is treating Trump as an equal. And keep him in check when the meetings are under way.

The summit offers the potential to secure some Canadian wins, perhaps new trade and security deals with the US, hatched last month in Washington.

At that meeting, Carney gave the president some golf gear from the Kananaskis Country Club, a scenic course within the tightly controlled perimeter of the summit.

The Trump factor

The summit is taking place amid a global trade war started by Trump, who is using tariffs as a way to rebalance trading relationships. He has said the US has been "looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike".

It also comes as World Bank predicts the global economy will see the slowest decade for growth since the 1960s as the effect the US tariffs are felt, making it likely there will be some awkward - or "frank", in diplomatic lingo - conversations at this family gathering.

A discussion on the global economy will kick off the summit on Monday morning.

But Trump's November election win has shifted the global agenda beyond trade. The gathering offers the president a chance to secure wins on some of his other priorities, such as migration, critical minerals, security and drug trafficking - all of which are on the agenda later in the day.

The president has met each of his G7 counterparts since taking office but he will line up one-on-one meetings on the sidelines - he has already got Carney and the Mexican president in the diary.

There are currently two bilateral meetings on his schedule, according to US officials, though there no details on whom he is speaking with.

Avoiding a walkout like in 2018

This will be Trump's second time in Canada as US president, the first being a discordant summit in Charlevoix, Quebec, in 2018 shortly after he slapped steel and aluminium tariffs on Canada, Mexico and Europe.

Charlevoix was memorable for ending in acrimony and disarray - captured in a now-famous photo of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel confronting a defiant Trump as other world leaders and US aides looked on.

Bundesregierung/EPA  A handout photo made available by the German Government (Bundesregierung) on 09 June 2018 shows French President Emmanuel Macron (3-L, partially hidden), German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C-L) and Japan"s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C-R) speaking to US Presidend Donald J. Trump (R, seated) during the second day of the G7 meeting in Charlevoix, CanadaBundesregierung/EPA

The leaders struggled to agree on language over global trade for the final communique - a moment captured in that Merkel image - before Trump left the summit early.

He headed to Singapore to sit down with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un while posting missives from Air Force One aimed at then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Many of the tensions from seven years ago remain relevant today.

Carney hopes to avoid a similar derailment, and told Sky News last month that the lesson he took from that blow-up "is to be consistent - say the same thing in private as you do in public, say the same things after the summit as you do during the summit".

The G7 is a "consensus body. We work together", a senior Canadian government official said in a briefing last week.

With that in mind, Canada has chosen to eschew a final communique completely in favour of six of short joint statements on wildfires, critical minerals and other key agenda items.

Forest fires, AI, critical minerals and Ukraine

Canada's priorities for the confab are sharply focused on building stronger economies and strengthening peace and security, including harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and fortifying critical mineral supply chains.

While there are no broad commitments expected on climate change, it is integrated into the agenda, a senior government official told a briefing this week, pointing to an effort to improve the international joint response to the growing global forest fire threat.

Canada's worst wildfire season on record was in 2023 and this year could be on track to be the second worst. Smoke from the blazes has blanketed parts of North America and Europe and could be visible reminder to delegates in Kananaskis of the threat.

Ukraine is another pressing topic on the agenda, with President Volodomyr Zelensky there hoping to discuss continued support for his country, sanctions against Russia and future financing for reconstruction efforts.

Tuesday morning will focus on that conflict, with Ukraine expected to push for more sanctions on Russia.

Carney has also placed countering foreign interference - notably interference in global diaspora communities - high on the summit's agenda, setting up potential for tense discussions with some of the attending leaders who are not part of the G7.

Geopolitical minefields

As host, Canada also invites leaders not permanently attached to the seven-member group, and Carney has given a number the nod to attend, some more controversial than others.

As mentioned, Zelensky will be there.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be a guest, with Carney saying there are important discussions that India, as a major economic force, should be a part of.

Modi's attendance comes amid deeply strained relations between the two countries over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil.

Canada has accused India of carrying out that targeted killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar two years ago and the G7 invitation has received backlash among some Sikh Canadians.

Mexico's President, Claudia Sheinbaum, has confirmed she will be in Kananaskis. Her presence sets the stage for talks on North American trade, which has been upended by Trump's tariffs. Sheinbaum has said she is keen to set up a one-on-one meeting with Trump, which would be the first between the pair.

Carney has also invited European and Nato leaders and his counterparts from Australia, South Africa, South Korea, Indonesia, and Brazil.

Chris Brown returns to Manchester for first show in city since arrest

16 June 2025 at 06:59
Getty Images Chris Brown in a red, white and black patterned leather jacket and patterned baseball cap, singing into a microphone on stage at the Tycoon Music Festival at Little Caesars Arena on April 19, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.Getty Images
Chris Brown pictured on stage in Detroit in April

US singer Chris Brown has kicked off his UK tour in Manchester, days before he is due back in court after being arrested in the city last month.

The Grammy-winning star performed to thousands of fans at Manchester's Co-op Live arena on Sunday, with a string of stadium dates to follow in other cities.

On Friday, he will appear in court in London for the latest hearing after he was charged with grievous bodily harm over an alleged assault in a nightclub in 2023. The 36-year-old, who is free on £5m bail, has not yet been asked to enter a plea.

"Thank you for coming and supporting me," he said to fans in Manchester. "And thank you to the jail," he joked. "It was really nice."

A video montage was shown of his career highs and lows, including brief clips of TV news footage from outside the Manchester court after he was arrested, which was met by a supportive roar from his loyal fans.

The star is accused of inflicting an "unprovoked attack" on a music producer with a tequila bottle at a nightclub in London while on his last UK tour in 2023.

He was arrested when he returned to the country a month ago, when detectives from London's Metropolitan Police travelled to the hotel in which he was staying in Salford, Greater Manchester.

He was held in custody for almost a week, before being released after agreeing to pay a £5m security fee to the court.

A security fee is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court. Mr Brown could be asked to forfeit the money if he breaches bail conditions.

However, the judge agreed that the singer could go ahead with his tour as part of his bail conditions, and he played the first night in Amsterdam last weekend.

The singer's Breezy Bowl XX tour is marking 20 years in the music industry. He has had 19 singles in the UK top 10 over that time, including number one hits Turn Up The Music and Freaky Friday.

Last week, he won the prize for best male R&B/pop artist at the BET Awards in Los Angeles.

After performing a second night in Manchester on Monday, he will move on to Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Thursday.

He will then appear at court on Friday with his co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, a 38-year-old who performs under the name HoodyBaby, also from the US.

After the hearing, Mr Brown is scheduled to play at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday and Sunday, before further stadium shows in Birmingham and Glasgow, and two more arena dates in Manchester.

Rare Welsh Bible from 1588 displayed for first time

16 June 2025 at 13:17
PA Media A man in a grey suit with grey hair holds an antique-looking book. The photo is captured from above so the viewer looks down on the scene. The man is stood on a wooden floor with a red carpet laid down. The book has a beautiful Celtic design on the right hand page and calligraphy. The paper in the book is yellowed and spotted with age. PA Media
The book was translated in the year of the Spanish Armada, when Queen Elizabeth I was monarch

A rare copy of the first complete translation of the Bible into Welsh, printed in 1588, will go on display in Wales for the first time.

The book was translated in the year of the Spanish Armada – when Elizabeth I was monarch – by Bishop William Morgan as part of an effort to bring scriptures to people in languages they understood.

It has been kept in Westminster Abbey's library collection ever since, having only ever been used in service once.

The Bible will be on public display in the St Davids Cathedral in Pembrokeshire between 17 June and 9 July.

Bishop Morgan had been commissioned to produce a standard Welsh edition by bringing together previous translations of parts of the Bible.

He travelled to London to oversee the books going through the press, a process which lasted several weeks because the print workers did not speak Welsh.

During the work, Morgan stayed at Westminster Abbey's deanery which was the home of then-dean Gabriel Goodman – a fellow Welshman who was also a close friend.

Morgan presented the book to Goodman with a Latin inscription, recording that he was making a gift to the library.

PA Media A close up of the Bible in Welsh. Fingers of the person holding the book are visible. On the page is a Celtic design and a paragraph of Welsh in ornate calligraphy. PA Media
It is rare to find the book in such good condition as the other copies were used so regularly

Tony Trowles, librarian and head of the abbey's collection, said: "It has been in our library ever since.

"It is in remarkably good condition. The plan was to print 900 copies, with the idea for every chapel and church in Wales to have a copy of the Welsh Bible.

"Because they were used weekly or even daily, the ones that survive in Wales are not in such good condition."

Dr Trowles said the Bible was originally chained to the bookshelves of the abbey library so it could not be removed.

He said the printing process was "highly complex and technical" with each letter arranged backwards and several pages printed on one sheet.

The book was printed on paper and bound in leather over covers made from wood.

"This is the first time it has gone to Wales and we think the first time it has been exhibited," Dr Trowles said.

However, it was used in a service at St Benet Paul's Wharf – a church in London with a long association with the Welsh community – in 1988.

The Right Rev Dorrien Davies, the Bishop of St Davids, said: "It is a special treasure of the Welsh language and we are honoured to have it in St Davids Cathedral."

The Dean of St Davids, the Very Rev Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, said: "It seems fitting that its first visit to Wales should be here, to the home of our patron saint, at our spiritual heart.

"We look forward to having it on show before its return to the abbey, to share with Welsh Christians of all traditions, for whom Y Beibl Cyssegr-Lan of 1588 Bible is a uniquely valuable treasure in our heritage of faith and language."

Son of Estee Lauder, who took the brand global, dies aged 92

16 June 2025 at 09:51
Getty Images Leonard Lauder wearing sunglasses at an event in New York in 2021. Getty Images
Leonard Lauder had an estimated net worth of more than $10bn

Leonard Lauder, the businessman who built Estee Lauder into one of the world's biggest cosmetic makers, has died aged 92.

Lauder took over his parents company in 1958 and served as chief executive for 17 years. He was an accomplished dealmaker and bought brands including Clinique, Bobbi Brown and MAC.

"He was an icon and pioneer, earning respect worldwide. His energy and vision helped shape our company and will continue to do so for generations to come", said Stephane de La Faverie, chief executive of the Estee Lauder.

The New York-born billionare had an estimated wealth of $10.1bn (£7.5bn), according to the 2025 Forbes rich list.

Lauder passed away on Saturday surrounded by his family, said Estee Lauder in a statement.

Born in 1933, he was the eldest son of Estee and Joseph Lauder. He served as a lieutenant in the US Navy before joining the family business aged 25.

At the time, the firm's annual sales were less than $1m - about $11m in today's money. It is now a global cosmetics giant, operating in 150 countries with sales of $15.6bn last year.

Lauder led the firm's expansion into Europe and Asia and created its first ever research and development laboratory.

He took the company public in 1995, with its share price rising 33% on the first day of trading in New York.

Lauder stepped down as chief executive in 1999. He remained involved with the business and was chairman emeritus until his death.

Celebrities and business people have been paying tribute to Lauder.

Elizabeth Hurley, who got her first modelling job with his company, said on Instagram: "I called him my American Daddy and I can't imagine a world without him."

Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief at Forbes Media, said Lauder "lived life well, & his passing is the world's loss'."

"His legacy will be felt for generations to come," said multi-billionaire and former New York mayor, Mike Bloomberg.

Away from business, Lauder was passionate about art. In 2013, he pledged his billion-dollar collection of Cubist artworks to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

He was also an advocate for cancer research and served as the honorary chairman of the board of directors at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Minnesota assassination survivor and husband shot 17 times

16 June 2025 at 09:08
Yvette Hoffman / Facebook Yvette and John HoffmanYvette Hoffman / Facebook
Yvette and John Hoffman

A survivor of Saturday's deadly attacks on two Minnesota lawmakers says she and her husband are both "incredibly lucky to be alive" after they were hit by 17 bullets.

State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were gunned down at their home early on Saturday morning, but lived. Melissa Hortman - the top Democratic legislator in the state House - and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed.

Yvette Hoffman said in a statement that she and her husband John were "devastated" by the Hortmans' deaths.

Police are hunting for the suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, who wore a latex mask and posed as an officer to shoot the victims at their homes in suburban Minneapolis, before escaping on foot.

Mrs Hoffman's statement was shared on Instagram by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar.

"John is enduring many surgeries right now and is closer every hour to being out of the woods," Mrs Hoffman wrote.

"He took 9 bullet hits. I took 8 and we are both incredibly lucky to be alive.

"We are gutted and devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark. We have no words. There is never a place for this kind of political hate."

Police have not disclosed the killer's motive.

A Facebook post from someone identifying as Mrs Hoffman's nephew said she had thrown herself on her daughter during the assassination attempt, "using her body as a shield to save her life".

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, the daughter, Hope, is in her 20s and was born with spina bifida, which her father previously cited as motivating him to get into state politics.

Getty Images Minnesota Legislature House Speaker Melissa Hortman Getty Images
Minnesota Legislature House Speaker Melissa Hortman

On Sunday, police said they had found an unoccupied car linked to the suspect in Sibley County, about 50 miles (80km) from the murder scene.

The discovery of the black sedan was alerted to local residents' mobile phones in a message that said: "Suspect not located. Keep your doors locked and vehicles secured."

A cowboy hat, similar to what Boelter, 57, was believed to have been wearing, was found nearby.

Police also said on Sunday that Boelter's wife had been detained in a traffic stop along with three relatives in a car in the city of Onamia, more than 100 miles from the family home in the rural community of Green Isle, on Saturday morning.

Jenny Boelter was released without being taken into custody because she was co-operative, Drew Evans, of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, told a news conference on Sunday evening.

EPA Authorities search for 57-year-old Vance Luther BoelterEPA
The manhunt began on Saturday

Police have extended the search over state lines to South Dakota and the FBI has added Boelter to its most-wanted list, issuing a $50,000 reward.

Both of the targeted lawmakers belonged to Minnesota's Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, which is affiliated with the national Democratic Party.

Authorities said they recovered a target list that included the names of state Democratic politicians from another vehicle used by the suspect.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Klobuchar and Minnesota's other US senator, Tina Smith, were on the list – along with state Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, people familiar with the investigation told local media.

"Clearly, this is politically motivated," Klobuchar told NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday morning.

President Donald Trump, a Republican, told ABC News on Sunday the attack was "a terrible thing".

Reuters Bullet holes mark the front door of the Hoffman homeReuters
Bullet holes mark the front door of the Hoffman home

Investigators say Boelter was disguised as a police officer when he carried out the attacks and had a vehicle that looked like a police car, equipped with flashing emergency lights.

The gunman first targeted the Hoffmans at their home in Champlin at around 02:00 local time on Saturday, authorities said.

Soon afterwards, Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park, eight miles away.

Officers arrived at the Hortmans' home and exchanged gunfire with the suspect at around 03:35. The suspect managed to flee, leaving behind his car, authorities said.

According to Boelter's CV, he has a background in security and military training.

The city of Brooklyn Park was silent on Sunday morning as the neighbourhood came to terms with a suspected political assassination on their doorstep.

A police car was parked outside the Hortmans' house and bright yellow caution tape surrounded the property.

Vance Luther Boelter seen in four photographs including one from the night of the attacks
Police have issued images of the suspect

Taha Abuisnaineh, who lives across the street, said he and his wife had known the family for more than 20 years.

"They were very nice neighbours in a very quiet neighbourhood," he told the BBC. "You don't see police activity in this neighbourhood. We are very shocked."

Two other nearby residents who did not want to be named said the suburban community was reeling.

"My next-door neighbour heard the shots," said one. "We've all been texting back and forth."

She and her husband described how they received an annual Christmas card from the Hortmans.

"What a big loss for Minnesota," she said.

In Sibley County, where the suspect's car was found, local resident Brian Liebhard also told the BBC of his shock.

"This guy needs to get caught," he said. "I don't agree with everything they [the two politicians] vote for, but this is sad - the guy went wacko."

NCA to target gangs as report on grooming is expected

16 June 2025 at 06:14
Getty Images A woman has her back to the camera and is sitting on the edge of a bed in a dark room, facing the window. She has her hair tied back into a ponytail and is wearing jeans and a white tank top.Getty Images

The National Crime Agency (NCA) will carry out a nationwide operation to target and jail predators who have sexually exploited children as part of a grooming gang, according to the Home Office.

It said the NCA would work with police forces to give victims whose cases were not progressed through the criminal justice system "long-awaited justice" and prevent more children from being hurt by such crimes.

It comes ahead of the release of a report by Baroness Louise Casey on Monday on the nature and scale of group-based child sexual abuse.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Saturday there would be a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs covering England and Wales.

'Please speak up': Survivor of child grooming speaks to BBC

The NCA operation will aim to imprison more perpetrators of child sexual abuse, protect more victims and improve how local police forces investigate such crimes, the Home Office said.

It will also aim to "put an end to the culture of denial in local services and authorities about the prevalence of this crime".

The Home Office said police had reopened more than 800 historic cases of group-based child sexual abuse since the home secretary had asked them in January to look again at cases that were "closed too early and victims denied justice".

"The vulnerable young girls who suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of groups of adult men have now grown into brave women who are rightly demanding justice for what they went through when they were just children," Yvette Cooper said.

"Not enough people listened to them then," the home secretary added. "That was wrong and unforgivable. We are changing that now."

The Home Office said the national inquiry announced by the prime minister on Saturday would be able to "compel" investigations into "historic cases of grooming gang crimes".

That would ensure complaints and allegations of "mishandling, wrongdoing and cover-ups by police, agencies and other professionals and elected officials are brought to light and those responsible held accountable", the Home Office added.

It said the inquiry would report to a single chairperson and its panel would have the power to call witnesses to hearings.

EPA Yvette Cooper walks along Downing Street. She is wearing a blue jacket and has blue eyes and short blonde hair.EPA
Cooper is set to address the findings of the review by Baroness Casey in Parliament on Monday

The grooming gangs issue was thrust into the spotlight at the start of 2025, fuelled partly by tech billionaire Elon Musk, who had criticised Sir Keir for not calling a national inquiry.

A row between the two centred on high-profile cases where groups of men, mainly of Pakistani descent, were convicted of sexually abusing and raping predominantly young white girls in towns such as Rotherham and Rochdale.

On Saturday, Sir Keir said he had read an independent report into child sexual exploitation by Baroness Casey and would accept her recommendation for an inquiry covering England and Wales.

In January, the government stopped short of launching a statutory national inquiry intro grooming gangs despite the idea receiving support from some Labour MPs.

Instead, Cooper unveiled plans for five government-backed local inquiries - to be held in Oldham and four other area yet to be named.

She also announced a "rapid" three-month audit, led by Baroness Casey, into the data and evidence on the nature and scale of group-based child sexual abuse.

That report is expected to be published on Monday and Cooper is set to address the findings of the review in Parliament.

For months, the prime minister has faced criticism for not being willing to set up a national inquiry, with the Conservatives claiming they had forced him into a U-turn.

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride told the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the decision to launch the inquiry should have happened "far, far earlier".

Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended the decision to launch a national inquiry, telling the programme on Sunday that ministers "never dismissed the concerns of victims" of grooming gangs.

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